Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has once again reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen socio-economic and political ties with the European Union (EU).
While addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament (EP) at the invitation of its Chair MEP David McAllister, FM Qureshi mulled over Pakistan-EU relations and regional and international developments. He stated that the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) had ushered in a new phase in the partnership by providing a solid foundation and framework for multidimensional cooperation between the two sides.
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The foreign minister accentuated the significance of of trade and economic cooperation between EU and Pakistan and how EU’s GSP Plus facility to Pakistan had been mutually beneficial and played an important role in growth of trade between the two sides.
Appreciating EU’s support to Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic, FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment towards effective implementation of GSP Plus related international Conventions.
Furthermore, Mr Qureshi underscored Pakistan’s contribution in Afghan Peace Process and that a peaceful Afghanistan is essential for realizing Pakistan’s vision of regional economic integration.
Pakistan wishes to see an end to the Afghan conflict through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned negotiated political settlement, said the foreign minister.
Pakistan has played and continues to play a key role in facilitating the Afghan peace process. The current peace process is a historic opportunity and all Afghan parties should work constructively to secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive solution, he added.
Additionally, deteriorating situation in IIOJK terming the dispute as the single biggest obstacle in the way of building durable and lasting peace in South Asia.
Instead of responding positively to Pakistan’s overtures for peace, India unilaterally and illegally moved to change the status of IIOJK, which is a UN recognized disputed territory, and vitiated the environment. The onus was on India to create an enabling environment. Pakistan remains committed to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people, he said.
On Pakistan’s side the meeting was attended by Ms Zartaj Gul – Minister of State for Climate Change, Mr Mian Farrukh Habib – Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Malik Ehsan Ullah Tiwana – Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms Andleeb Abbas – Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ms Maleeka Bokhari – Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice, Mr Lal Chand Malhi – Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights, Foreign Secretary and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
